National Security held an emergency meeting on Thursday with the two leading political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to discuss measures to avert attacks and reprisals between supporters of the two parties. The meeting was at the instance of the National Security and chaired by National Security Coordinator Colonel Larry Gbevlo Lartey. Also present were the Chief of Defense Staff Lt. General Augustine Blay and Inspector General of Police Paul Tawiah Quaye. Joy News’ Elton John Brobbey reports that the meeting was attended by the National Chairmen of the NPP and NDC, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and Dr. Kwabena Adjei respectively. Both men agreed to reign in their supporters in order to avoid further bloody clashes and to allow the NPP to continue pursuing its legal challenge of the election results. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey told Joy News the police ought to be firm and deal ruthlessly with any criminal, irrespective of political affiliation. Dr. Kwabena Adjei also expressed his commitment to calming NDC supporters who have been arming themselves to retaliate for attacks on NDC supporters. Earlier, supporters of the two parties clashed in the Makola Market but a timely intervention by a police and military force foiled what could have been a deadly clash. Accra Region Police Public Relations Officer DSP Freeman Tetteh told Elton John Brobbey the police had gathered intelligence that the two parties were confronting each other so they “rushed to the scene immediately and we were able to bring the situation under control”. No arrests were made, he said. He added that the police are doing everything they can, including talking to stakeholders to figure out how best to restore sanity. An eyewitness told Joy News that about 20 well-built men with weapons stormed the Makola Market to avenge alleged attacks on some NDC supporters there. He said that the irate thugs wearing T-shirts bearing the image of President John Mahama hurt about seven people and that the turn of events forced many shops, including banks, to close down for the afternoon. Alex Agyapong, a victim who sustained cutlass wounds, told Joy News the marauding men were asking the market folks “you people were saying what, when you see people wearing NDC T-shirt then you start beating him?”